Comic Reliefs Africa In Action
 
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The UK hosted the Africa In Action event on Wednesday 18thJune at Central Hall Westminster. Attended by Guests and Speaker who represent Diaspora led organisations and relevant government official such as the Ethiopian ambassador. The event was hosted by a partnership with the UK Department for international Development and comic relief that have launched the Common Ground Initiative. The Initiative aims to support the work of small and Africandiaspora-led organisations who work with poor and disadvantaged people in Africa.
The programme on the day included speakers Lenny Henry our very own Abdirashid Duale CEO of Dahabshil Group, on the subject of remittances and reducing costs and adding value.
The subjects discussed included How does change happen?,Volunteering to make a difference, Supporting African and Civil Society . Also leaders of the next generation, Diaspora Dragons Entrepreneurs, Promoting diaspora participationopportunity or threat?
A key moment on the day was a Plenary  Discussion on Looking ahead the panel included Ambassador of Ethiopia Berhanu Kebede, Kathleen Newland (Migration Policy Institute), Ndidi Njoku (
The UK minister Rt hon Justine Greening MP and the appointed Secretary of State for International Development in September 2012 was the Keynote speaker and shared on the UK Government’s intention and commitment to ending FGM and child marriages.  Also changing attitudes that could possibly be holding us back from progress and development.
The days Event was not only inspiring and allowed many experienced individuals to come together and to shared ideas but it also allowed an opportunity for networking. The Somali-speaking community remains one of the largest African- diaspora communities in Britain so questions remain what is the our role as a society and individual with the international platform?
Khadra Sirad.
Salaanmedia/London
